Diffractive optical element (DOE) for optical transmit path

LRO is the first mission in NASA's Vision for Space Exploration with objectives of finding safe landing sites, locating potential resources, characterizing the radiation environment, and demonstrating new technology.

LRO is also collecting data for it's sister mission LCROSS. LCROSS made headlines November 13th, 2009 when NASA announced data from the mission proves that water exists on the moon. LRO, launched on the same rocket as LCROSS, continues to make passes over the impact site on the moon and collect data.